Controversial penalty condemns Morpeth Town to defeat

Andrew McDonnell

Paul Brayson’s controversial second half penalty was the difference as Morpeth Town lost their opening Northern League game 3-2 at Newcastle Benfield on Saturday.

Paul Robinson put the Highwaymen ahead before Jake Trodd and Tom McNamee turned the game around midway through the first half.

Robinson scored his second of the game just before the break, but on the hour mark things turned for the worst as Karl Dryden saw red for bringing down the Benfield forward in the area.

Brayson slotted the penalty into the bottom corner before Stephen Tobin had a goal ruled out as the hosts held out for the win.

The Highwaymen opened up their season last week with a convincing 3-1 win in the FA Cup, and they started in fine fashion at Sam Smith’s Park.

Luke Carr’s corner found Robinson on the edge of the area on seven minutes, and the midfielder replicated his effort of the previous week by lashing into the bottom corner.

However, the lead was short-lived as the hosts were level five minutes later when Brayson’s low cross was turned into the net by Trodd at the back post.

The blustery conditions were playing a big part in the game, and Benfield used it to their advantage on 24 minutes as they went ahead.

Morpeth cleared the ball out as far as McNamee, who was inside the centre circle, and the midfielder struck a brilliant shot which sailed over the head of Dryden.

Mark Convery’s side almost went three-up with a few minutes remaining before the break as Lewis Scorgie glanced McNamee’s corner inches wide of the post.

A defensive error let Scott McCarthy through one-on-one moments later, but after the forward blazed his shot wide, Morpeth punished their opponents. Carr played the ball into the path of Robinson, who placed his shot into the bottom corner via the post.

Nick Gray and Dave Malone would not have been pleased with what they witnessed in the first 45 minutes, but their side were still level in the game.

And whatever was said at half-time worked, because they came out a different side, albeit Benfield continued to match them pound-for-pound.